Naomi Whitehead
Naomi Whitehead | |
|---|---|
| Born | Naomi Washington September 26, 1910 (age 115 years, 336 days) Patterson, Georgia, U.S. |
| Known for | Oldest living person in the United States (since October 22, 2024) |
| Spouse |
Sylvester Whitehead
(m. 1930; died 1979) |
| Children | 3 |
Naomi Washington Whitehead[1] (née Washington; born September 26, 1910) is an American supercentenarian who has been the oldest living person in the United States, currently at the age of 115 years, 336 days, since the death of Elizabeth Francis on October 22, 2024, and the world's second oldest living person since the death of Marie-Rose Tessier on February 10, 2026.[2]
Biography
Naomi Washington was born on September 26, 1910 of African American descent in rural Georgia to Douglas and Pauline (née Young) Washington, where she grew up on a farm picking cotton and tobacco.[3] She lived in Patterson, Georgia, in her youth with her older siblings Douglas Jr., Clarence, Ellen, and Viola.[4]
Whitehead, in her adult years, moved to West Salem in Mercer County, part of Greater Pittsburgh. She didn't move into assisted living until 2011, when she was 100 years old.[5] She has stated that she never smoked or drank alcohol. She told reporters, "I'll live as long as the Lord lets me."[6] Several of her grandchildren acredit her long life to her belief in God.[5] Whitehead lives at St. Paul's Senior Living Community in Greenville, Pennsylvania.[1][7]
Personal life
In 1930, Washington married Sylvester Whitehead (1908–1979).[8][9] They had three sons:[8] Sylvester Jr. (1931–2004),[10] Parrish L. (1933–2011),[11] and Elbert T. (1935–2006).[12]
References
- 1 2 "Happy Birthday times 115!". The Blackshear Times. September 23, 2025.
- ↑ "World Supercentenarian Rankings List". Gerontology Research Group. March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ↑ McMunn, Andrew (October 24, 2024). "Naomi Whitehead becomes oldest living person in US after previous record-holder dies at 115". WAGM-TV. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ↑ Year: 1920; Census Place: Patterson, Pierce, Georgia; Roll: T625_274; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 141
- 1 2 "Greenville woman marks 115 years with family and faith". WKBN.com. September 28, 2025. Archived from the original on February 6, 2026. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Pennsylvania woman now believed to be oldest living person in North America". KDKA-TV. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ↑ Kroczek, Wacław Jan (October 24, 2024). "Naomi Whitehead, 114, recognized as the Oldest Living Person in the USA". Gerontology Research Group.
- 1 2 Maglov, Stefan (September 26, 2025). "Naomi Whitehead, Oldest Living American, Turns 115". LongeviQuest.
- ↑ "U.S., Social Security Death Index: Sylvester Whitehead". Ancestry.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ↑ "U.S., Social Security Death Index: Sylvester Whitehead Jr". Ancestry.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ↑ Maglov, Stefan (October 23, 2024). "114-year-old Naomi Whitehead Becomes the Oldest Living American". LongeviQuest. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ↑ "Elbert T. Whitehead". The Herald. May 8, 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2024.